Iran has targeted 12 countries and “continues to deliberately target civilians” in the Middle East, according to the US Central Command on Friday.
In an update, US CENTCOM chief Admiral Brad Cooper accused Iranian forces of firing drones at residential neighbourhoods in Bahrain as part of their most recent offensive.
“This is unacceptable and will not go unanswered,” Copper said, adding that America will continue to collaborate with regional partners to combat the threat to innocent people throughout the region.
Since the war began, Iranian missiles and drones have targeted Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Cyprus, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and the UAE. NATO destroyed a missile aimed for Turkish airspace.
According to the Fars news agency, Iran has launched over 500 ballistic and cruise missiles as well as over 2,000 drones, with 40% aimed at Israel and 60% at US installations in the Arabian Peninsula.
On Friday, Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi reiterated Tehran’s warning to the international community not to become directly involved in the battle against the Islamic Republic.
In an interview with France 24, the minister stated that any country that joins the operation by America and Israel “will also be legitimate targets for Iran’s retaliation.”
He stated that Iranian authorities had been “negotiating in good faith” with the US, describing the most recent round of talks in Geneva as “a success.” The joint mission began two days later.
Takht-Ravanchi also confirmed Tehran’s strikes against Iraqi Kurdish groups, which were purportedly backed by the CIA and Mossad, claiming the action was necessary to safeguard Iran’s sovereignty.
On Friday, Russian senior official Dmitry Medvedev criticised Persian Gulf states over Iranian strikes, alleging that Washington “just uses them, while protecting only one country.”
“Think long and hard about whether you really need US bases – they’re not protection, they’re a threat,” the Security Council Deputy Chairman said in a post on X.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defence announced Friday that its armed forces successfully intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile aimed at Prince Sultan Air Base.
However, videos published on social media early Saturday showed the moment massive explosions ripped through western Tehran near Mehrabad Airport and the Ekbatan neighbourhood.